Kelsey Irvin, M.A., Owner and Birth Doula

I have been blessed to live and work among powerful women my entire life. I am a daughter, a sister, a mother of two amazing girls, a doula, an herbalist, and a female-centered Anthropologist. After 8 years as an EMT, I trained as a DONA certified doula in 2007 and re-certified with toLabor in 2011. I have been honored to attend births with Richmond families in a variety of settings for almost a decade now and have expanded my skills to include acupressure, and I am currently training as an herbalist.

My work as a doula has informed how I chose to bring my own children into the world, influenced my decision to study Anthropology in graduate school and continues to shape sphere of my everyday existence.

During my graduate studies in Anthropology and Social Research I wrote dissertations on the empowerment of women in high risk birthing situations and the changing narrative of the American family in the context of gifted surrogacy. These formal academics have helped furthered my ability to connect and advocate for a wider spectrum of doula clients.

It is my deep belief that how we enter this world speaks volumes about who we are and who we become. That when women are given the chance to birth as they want, to conquer a seemingly insurmountable task they are empowered in all aspects of their life.

My family is the center of my life. With three active boys at home and one who lives on in my heart, my emotional connection to my children and husband is my bedrock as I attend births, teach Open Arms birthing classes, and complete my own prerequisites for nurse-midwifery. It’s a busy life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

As an undergraduate, I studied human anatomy and ten years later received my M.A. in women’s Renaissance history. These fields of study give me both a broad understanding of the societal effects of our maternity care choices and a practical understanding of what makes birth healthy and satisfying for individual people. In five years as a doula, I’ve walked the journey of birth with over three dozen couples, as well as experiencing the joyful water birth of my third son and the painful but beautiful stillbirth of my fourth. All of this informs my approach when I work with clients. My practice is rooted in trust: trust of the pregnant parent’s body and instincts, and trust that each child is born in the way that he or she needs. Birth to me is both sacred and mundane. It has the potential to be transformative to everyone who goes through it, yet it is also a normal life experience for half the world’s population! In the tension between these two sides of birthing, we find our footing as parents; we reshape how we view ourselves; we deepen our relationships with our partners; and we develop skills and strengths we can apply to challenges throughout the rest of our lives.

I help all my clients and students to become fully educated and informed about birth, the range of medical care providers available to them, and the medical interventions possible in their birth location. As we read about and discuss their options, I also encourage them to look inside to develop emotional tools that will help them throughout their journey as parents and partners.

I believe that in birth, we face not only our ultimate challenge, but also our ultimate selves—the strongest, most vulnerable, most honest people we can ever be. Meeting that challenge can transform us into the best version of ourselves, as I have seen (and experienced myself) time and again. That is my favorite part of birth work: the moment when I see on a birthing parent's face that they "get it," when they realize the strength and power that has been in them all along.

I am a mother to three boys, I am a birth doula, lactation educator, student and future midwife. Life is full!

I'm British, and I've lived here in Virginia for nine years. I came to birth work in the same way as many others - through the birth of my own first child. Becoming a mother was a transformative experience. I received extraordinary care from my midwife and I knew that I wanted to have a role in providing that kind of care to other pregnant people. I trained as a doula in 2011 and started attending births the same year before becoming certified in 2012. Since then I have worked to add to my skills and knowledge (for example in lactation support or in using the rebozo prenatally and in labour) as I have been privileged to attend more births while also adding two more small humans to my own family.

I believe birth is sacred, and that how it happens, matters. I can never write a script for a birth and expect it to be followed to the letter - like Forrest Gump said, you never know what you are going to get. However, helping pregnant people and their families educate themselves, start to feel empowered, make their own choices and walk their own path is a wonderful honour - sometimes I can't quite believe people let me walk it with them! From the home water birth to the scheduled cesarean, it is always a miracle when a baby comes and a family is born or expanded. If you are my future client and you are reading this: hello! I can't wait to meet you.

Maria Cedeno Lapins, Photographer

I'm a wife, mommy, dog-lover, photographer, and world traveler! After the birth of my son, I made the decision to leave my professional career in undergraduate admission to pursue my photography work and to raise our son. I have loved every minute of balancing my exciting photography schedule with the joys of motherhood. My son inspires me to learn more and more about the art of photography and my clients push me to capture life’s details in new and interesting ways.

I grew up in Virginia’s tidewater region before attending college at the University of Mary Washington. Following graduation, I worked at a prestigious undergraduate university for nearly 10 years recruiting undergraduate students from around the world. My interest in photography stemmed from my extensive international travels and a desire to capture the lives of the people I met along the way and the sights of the countries I’ve visited.

I believe in capturing life's most precious moments and preserving them for generations to come in a classic, authentic style. Photographing births is one of the most humbling, awe-inspiring, and gorgeous experiences I have ever had. Watching a tiny, precious baby take his first breaths is one of the most beautiful moments of my photography career, every time it happens.

Macy Lau-Allen, Birth Photographer

Before I became a mother, I worked as an IT consultant making sure computer systems had the necessary documentation and that my clients were happy. I decided to stay home when my second was born. With this change, I had the opportunity to turn my passion and hobby of photography into a business. Capturing life’s moments is important to me. I've taken photos of a variety of subject matter from sports to families, always focusing on freezing the action and capturing life's moments. I like to practice with my two energetic children!

Birth photography became my focus due to my connection with local doulas, the birth community, and my own experiences. My first child was born in a hospital and my second child was born at home. Nothing could be more of a life moment than birth! In my work, I want to freeze time for you, so that the photo is like someone hitting the pause button.

I get great reward when my clients take the time to say or write that they are happy with my work. I hope to create that connection with you, and I'd love to work with you to document your birthing journey.

I am a mother of two happy, adventurous, intense boys and the wife of an author. I achieved a Bachelor's of Arts in history in 2008, settled in my beloved city of Richmond, and then quickly started my family. Throughout my first pregnancy, I struggled with prenatal depression. My midwife wanted me to take some proactive measures and have my placenta encapsulated so that I would have the iron and hormonal support into my postpartum period. We hired a Placenta Benefits (PBi) encapsulator to handle my placenta, and my capsules helped tremendously with my energy levels and my milk supply.

After my own positive experience, I became a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist with PBi in 2009. Serving families as a “Placenta Lady” is still one of my most rewarding paths. It also led naturally to becoming a postpartum doula and walking the path with new families as they make the transition into their new life. I have currently completed and submitted all the requirements for certification from ProDoula and am awaiting my credential. As a postpartum doula, I provide support and education for the weeks following the birth of the baby. Recovery from birth is often more difficult than new parents anticipate, and there are many choices to be made regarding mother’s and baby’s health. Your postpartum doula is a wealth of solid information to help navigate those decisions. I pride myself on offering non-judgmental support, fully respecting and supporting your decisions.

Complicated family dynamics and big emotions don't intimidate me. In fact, I work best when people are at their most real. I love being a postpartum doula because having babies forces people to strip back pretense and get down to their truest self.

My goal is that families who utilize my services will come away with strength and confidence in their abilities as parents.

Kristy Wright, Massage Therapist and Birth Doula

Greetings and welcome to Heartlight Healing Services. As the sole practitioner, I strive to uphold the highest standard of care for clients in all stages of life. In addition to my Massage Therapy education, I have also trained in Prenatal Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Reiki level 1&2, and have a variety of other specialized skills for the effective treatment of sciatica, sports related injuries and injury prevention, and TMJ release.My current passion is learning all I can about clinical Aromatherapy, and am certified to use over 20 oils for therapeutic purposes.

When I am not practicing massage, I enjoy life as a stay at home mom, Professional Birth Doula, and crossfitter.

Jessica Turner, Prenatal Yoga Instructor

I began my yoga practice in 2008 during my pregnancy with my oldest son. A few years and a second baby boy later, I was ready to teach! In 2014 I completed my 200-hour teacher training, and in 2015 I completed my prenatal yoga certification. I am registered with Yoga Alliance as a Prenatal Yoga Teacher - 85. I am excited to be pursuing birth doula certification with toLabor and postpartum doula certification with Birth Arts International. Serving women, babies, and families is a privilege, and I'm so honored and thankful I get to do this very important work.

Catherine Dean, Babywearing Consultant

I first realized the benefits of babywearing after the birth of my oldest daughter in 2011. Armed with my trusty Ergo, I was able to soothe my "high needs" child and survive the first tough year as a new parent. Now a mother of two, babywearing continues to play an important role for me in managing life with a busy preschooler and a baby.

Deeply influenced by my background in anthropology, biology, and the social sciences, I believe that families of all types and parenting styles can benefit from incorporating the practice of babywearing into their lives. I have a particular passion for helping families dealing with reflux, food intolerance, and other gut issues.

I currently serve on the Board of Directors of Babywearing International, Inc. and I am a Master Babywearing Educator with Babywearing International of Central Virginia.

As a Certified Babywearing Consultant, I have been working hands-on with families in the Richmond, Virginia metro region since 2013. My goal is to create happy, healthy, more confident families through babywearing education and support. I look forward to working with you!